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Committee hears YWCA proposal to train early‑childhood teachers and amendment to subsidize childcare for providers
Summary
The committee considered House File 2266, a request to continue YWCA Minneapolis early‑childhood workforce training statewide, and adopted an amendment to subsidize childcare for eligible childcare workers and providers on scholarship waiting lists.
House File 2266 would appropriate funds to the YWCA of Minneapolis to continue workforce development training for early‑childhood educators; the committee also approved an A1 amendment to provide subsidized childcare to eligible workers and providers.
Representative Nicole Santamura introduced the bill, which asks for $350,000 per year to support the YWCA’s early childhood education training program. Stephanie Thomas, vice president of Early Childhood Education and Workforce Development at the YWCA Minneapolis, described a program that provides 140 hours of training, a 500‑hour practicum, portfolio development and testing supports. Thomas said the program is typically virtual and serves participants statewide; recent grants allowed 144 participants during the prior grant cycle with 66 earning a Child Development Associate credential (CDA).
Lauren Spencer, assistant director at the YWCA Children’s Center South, said the program helped her earn a CDA, continue college, and advance to a management role. The committee then considered and adopted an A1 amendment that would also subsidize childcare for individuals who qualify for early learning scholarships or CCAP and who regularly provide care for children. Tiffany Behrends, a preschool teacher and single mother who testified in support of the A1 amendment, described earning $18 an hour and having an infant on a scholarship waiting list; she said the math of paying for infant care made wages insufficient.
Representative Santamura described the training program as a pathway into the field that removes cost barriers for participants; YWCA witnesses said training and testing costs can total roughly $1,200 plus testing and observer fees if paid out of pocket. Committee members discussed program reach and whether the YWCA’s virtual model could serve Greater Minnesota; Thomas said the program can serve anyone across the state and that participant recruitment often comes from center referrals.
The committee adopted the A1 amendment by voice vote and laid House File 2266, as amended, over for future consideration.
